San Francisco, California

Time runs in many directions, but rarely in a straight line. L. Roxanne Zaborovsky (“Roxie”) has just learned that fact, the hard way. A bad case of deja vu and two men chasing her have alerted Roxie to the unavoidable conclusion that life has taken a severe shift. Since her memories aren't complete and her situation ambiguous, figuring out whom to trust has become a life and death decision for Roxanne.

When Mason Merrick, an ex-boyfriend of one of Roxie's old college roommates, makes an appearance, Roxie fondly remembers the crush she had on him. His explanation for Roxie's current circumstance is patently unbelievable, but, then again, so is everything that has been happening to her. Can she trust this blast from the past, especially when his enemy has definitive evidence that Mason is the bad guy?

WIRED is an absolutely thrilling ride that was thoroughly unexpected and highly entertaining. Told from Roxie's point of view, readers will initially be as confused as she is as to exactly what's happening to her. As the plot moves forward, though, the picture starts to become clearer. The intricacy of a plot that could easily have devolved into a confused mess instead highlights the craft of an author at the top of her game, earning the tale the coveted RRT Perfect 10.

Two men battle for Roxie's allegiance. On the one side, there is Mason Merrick, sometime ass, but a gorgeous one. Then there is Leonardo Kaysar, a Brit with a serious beef against Mason. Leonardo would do anything to get Roxie on his side, not to mention the piece of code she's going to write that can save or destroy the world. Secondary characters include Roxie's best friend Kitty, who has to go to her Zen happy place several times to get herself through a few desperate situations. Another recurring character is Kitty's pet goldfish, Existential Angst (love that name!), whom Roxie continually finds herself trying to save against all odds.

An edgy, high-octane plot with anime-inspired characters and circumstances, check out WIRED if you're looking for something a little unconventional.

Kathy Samuels